Khan retains WBA title on points

Amir Khan retained his WBA light-welterweight title with a thrilling points victory over Argentina's Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas.

Khan floored his opponent with a sickening body shot in the first round, but a willingness to stand and trade with the explosive Maidana left him in severe trouble on a number of occasions.

Despite appearing out on his feet after a punishing 10th round, the 24-year-old from Bolton displayed skill and composure to close out a 114-111, 114-111, 113-112 unanimous decision win.

Ever since his shocking one-round knockout at the hands of Breidis Prescott two years ago, doubts have been expressed about Khan's ability to take solid punches at the top level. He went some way to expelling those doubts in the opening seconds, when knockout-specialist Maidana twice landed concussive right hands to the Bolton man's chin.

The champion fired back with a sharp jab and a flashing right that appeared to draw blood from Maidana's forehead. A crushing left to the body sent Maidana sprawling to the canvas and after struggling to beat referee Joe Cortez's count, he was then saved by the bell in the face of further punishment to the head from Khan.

The champion's superior speed was starting to look decisive as early as the second round but the third delivered a reminder of Maidana's dangerous power. Khan needlessly winged in with a wide right hook and the challenger stopped him in his tracks with a chilling uppercut.

The wise tutelage of coach Freddie Roach has been a key factor in Khan establishing himself as a world star, and his influence was in evidence during rounds eight and nine when his charge regained the upper hand by virtue of his superior boxing skills.

Maidana was slow to his feet at the start of round 10, but he soon dispelled any fears that he was a beaten fighter. Just as Khan's control was starting to look absolute, Maidana exploded thunderous overhand right on the champion's chin.

Maidana continued to stalk his prey in the 11th round, but Khan managed to avoid further punishment before turning the tables once more with a huge uppercut of his own, followed by a stinging left-right combination. A fervent crowd at the Mandalay Bay Arena rose to acknowledge a definite fight-of-the-year contender ahead of a final round.

Maidana looked desperately for a knockout blow but found himself on the receiving end of one last scintillating Khan assault as the champion abandoned survival mode in favour of the grandstand finish this remarkable bout deserved.